Dec. 28, 2009

LEXINGTON, KY – UK men’s basketball player DeMarcus Cousins was named the SEC Freshman of the Week as announced by the league office on Monday.

Cousins, a 6-11 forward from Mobile, Ala., averaged 16.5 points and 11.5 rebounds in leading the Wildcats to wins over Drexel and Long Beach State. Cousins had 33 points and 23 rebounds in only 27 minutes on the week.

He recorded 18 points and 13 rebounds in only 14 minutes in Kentucky’s historic 2,000th win over Drexel. He then had 15 points and 10 rebounds in only 13 minutes of UK’s win over Long Beach State. It was his sixth double-double of the season. Cousins, who dished out a career high three assists against LBSU, has hit 22 of his last 23 free throws. He had a streak of 22 consecutive free throws made come to an end against the 49ers.

The honor is the first for Cousins and the sixth freshman of the Week honor in seven weeks for the Wildcats.

Junior Patrick Patterson was named the league’s Player of the Week in week two, giving UK seven SEC Player/Freshman of the week awards this season.

Kentucky is in action on Tuesday hosting Hartford. The game is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. ET tip and can be seen live on ESPN2.